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AARON PLESSINGER AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING TO RACE-ON TOGETHER IN 2026

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing has re-signed Aaron Plessinger for the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX), inclusive of the AMA Supercross Championship and Pro Motocross Championship. This latest contract extension between the pair signifies what will be a fifth-consecutive season together next year.

'The Cowboy' will race-on with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team managed by Ian Harrison, continuing what has been a successful collaboration. Plessinger will once again be READY TO RACE in the high-profile American series, equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION.

With a single round remaining in Supercross 2025, fan favorite Plessinger sits sixth position in the 450SX championship standings and with five podiums to his credit. That tally is underscored by a popular second-career premier class victory at the Foxborough round in April, building momentum throughout the 17-round duration.

The 29-year-old Plessinger first joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2022 and has firmly established himself as one of the sport's most popular and competitive riders both indoors and outdoors. He has finished P3 in 450MX for the past two seasons and has also scored top-five finishes in the 31-round SMX World Championship series both of those years – fifth in 2023 and fourth in 2024.

In addition to his success in the United States, Plessinger has represented Team USA at the FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) on two occasions (2023-2024) since signing with KTM. The Ohio native's highlight came last year at Matterley Basin in the United Kingdom, where he stood second on the Nations podium as the American team's Open Class entry.

Aaron Plessinger: "It means everything to me to be part of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing for 2026. I love everybody and everything about this team, it's been an awesome four years together already, and it's flying by, but we're having such a good time. We've had some really, really good results, so to have the team want to keep me around and keep going together, it's really special to me. I can't wait for what the future brings and my focus right now is to get the best results that I can with the team. To build the fanbase that we have is really special as well, because without them and their support we wouldn't be anything. It's always cool to meet our fans, to interact with the KTM Junior Supercross kids and their families at the races, and that's what dirt bikes are all about. To get people on the bikes that we ride and to become KTM riders themselves, it's why we do what we do each race weekend, to give them that added spark and interest in the sport. I'm super-excited for the remainder of this season and now into next year!"

Ian Harrison – Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "Looking back on Aaron’s career here at KTM as we move into his fifth year with the brand next year, it's clear how much of an impact he has had. He is more than just a racer, he is an incredible competitor on the track and a huge personality off it as well. From his long hair and cowboy hat to his unique riding style, Aaron truly stands out. He is, and will continue to be, a massive part of the KTM fanbase into 2026. He brings energy, positivity, and authenticity that resonate not only with our team and the other riders, but also with fans, sponsors, and the entire racing series. He's had another incredible season this year after a rough start, showing grit and determination, achieving five podiums and consistent top-five finishes so far, including a victory in Foxborough. We’re proud of who he is and even prouder to have him on our team. His influence extends far beyond results – his connection with people, both inside and outside the paddock, ensures he will be remembered and appreciated for years to come. He is truly one of a kind, and we are excited that Aaron has signed a contract extension for 2026 to continue racing for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing family."

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CHALLENGING CLEVELAND TRIPLE CROWN FOR RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING

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Round 14 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship proved a challenging outing for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, with Jorge Prado finishing 15th overall in the Triple Crown and Eli Tomac forced to withdraw from the event altogether following a crash in the opening qualifying session. Supercross made a high-profile return to Cleveland, with Huntington Bank Field hosting the 14th round of the SMX World Championship season after inclement weather persisted in the region this week. On the soft, technical layout, Prado quickly found comfort aboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION during qualifying, posting the fifth-fastest time of 45.083s to take confidence into the upcoming three-race format. The opening race of the Triple Crown saw Prado complete the first lap in fourth position, eventually crossing the line in P14 after experiencing vision difficulties in the challenging conditions. Prado claimed 15th place in Race 2, before the four-time world champion earned another P15 in the third and final outing to finish 15th for the round. He sits 10th in the 450SX standings with just three rounds remaining in Supercross. Jorge Prado: “It was a rough day in Cleveland. The Triple Crown format is still new to me and the conditions were challenging also, but I gained more experience and that is what is important this year. Three to go – we will keep learning, and I’m excited for the next few races to finish the season.” Two-time 450SX Champion Tomac entered Cleveland only 15 points outside of the red plate, however, a heavy crash in the whoops during this morning's Q1 session would ultimately end his weekend. Tomac attempted to ride in the second session, before the decision was made for him to park his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and undergo further medical evaluation after experiencing ongoing discomfort in his hip region. Further information will be released once available. Next Race: April 25 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Results 450SX Class – Cleveland 1. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 3. Justin Cooper (Yamaha) 7. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 8. Justin Hill (KTM) 15. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 21. Grant Harlan (KTM) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 14 of 17 rounds 1. Hunter Lawrence, 286 points 2. Ken Roczen, 285 3. Cooper Webb, 264 4. Eli Tomac, 255 8. Malcolm Stewart, 160 10. Jorge Prado, 147 16. Aaron Plessinger, 99 21. RJ Hampshire, 38

MIXED FORTUNES FOR RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING IN NASHVILLE SUPERCROSS

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing endured a mixed day out at Round 13 of the 2026 AMA Supercross Championship in Nashville, where Eli Tomac qualified quickest and won his Heat race before a difficult 450SX Main Event saw him finish outside of the top 10 and directly ahead of teammate Jorge Prado. Two-time 450SX Champion Tomac entered this weekend jointly holding the series leader's red plate, with the Colorado native qualifying fastest in both 450SX sessions onboard his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION with an eventual benchmark of a 51.407s lap-time. That momentum continued in the afternoon's racing program within Nissan Stadium for Tomac, who started the second 450SX Heat Race in third position, before making a move on Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammate Prado during the later stages to claim the victory. A slow start to the Main Event proved costly for the number 3, who steadily climbed through the field to enter the top 10 in dry, technical track conditions, only to be impacted by a late-race crash on his way to finishing 12th. He now sits third in the 450SX standings with four rounds remaining, 15 points from the points lead. Eli Tomac: “What a day – the whole day was good, other than the Main Event result! I was comfortable with my setup all day, so I’m just frustrated not only with the bad gate selection – I should have avoided the inside on the start – but also the crash. That bad start really put me in a tough spot from the get-go and I had my work cut out for me trying to make passes on such a slick, tight track. I lost a bunch of points today, but all I can do at this point is ride my best at the remaining rounds and let the chips fall where they may." Also equipped with the KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, Spanish standout Prado recorded the fifth-fastest combined qualifying time – highlighted by P3 in the opening session – before powering to the holeshot and a third-place finish in 450SX Heat 2. The 25-year-old ran up front during the early stages of the Main Event, crossing the line in third on Lap 1, and was contending for a podium position through the first half of the race. An incident around the midway point unfortunately dropped him outside the top 10, as Prado would go on to claim 13th position. Jorge Prado: “It was a frustrating Main Event in Nashville. I felt good all day, and I’m just upset with myself that I wasn’t able to execute the plan I had in my head for the race. I knew I had to push hard – push it to the limit every lap – if I wanted to be on the podium. I feel I had what it took to be on the podium tonight, so I’m disappointed. My bike was good all day and good enough to be up there, so it’s frustrating to know that one mistake cost me what could have been a great night. But the positive is I’m here to learn this year, and learning every week is what I’m doing. I will regroup, keep putting in the work this week, and be even better next weekend." Next Race: April 18 – Cleveland, Ohio Results 450SX Class – Nashville 1. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 2. Cooper Webb (Yamaha) 3. Ken Roczen (Suzuki) 5. Justin Hill (KTM) 12. Eli Tomac (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 13. Jorge Prado (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 17. Kevin Moranz (KTM) 18. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) Standings 450SX Class 2026 after 13 of 17 rounds 1. Hunter Lawrence, 270 points 2. Ken Roczen, 260 3. Eli Tomac, 255 8. Malcolm Stewart, 145 9. Jorge Prado, 140 15. Aaron Plessinger, 99 21. RJ Hampshire, 38